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VANCOUVER — Dan Rafael wandered into the media mixed zone with a smile on his face Tuesday afternoon.

As he approached a group of reporters and heard the first questions, the Montreal-based coach of Bingyu Wang’s Chinese women’s curling team slowly zipped up his jacket so that it covered his mouth.

It was only a joke; the mute button rarely works for Rafael, who will speak his mind at the drop of a hat, and has done so often this week at the Vancouver Olympic Centre.

“I’m furious,” he told reporters after his team’s loss Monday afternoon to the underdog Russians. “The problem with this team is that they have no passion. It’s their job.”

The same man described the Chinese men’s team as “mentally disturbed” when it struggled early at the WCF world men’s championship last year in Moncton.

And while he refused to confirm that he’d been ordered by his Chinese bosses to refrain from criticizing his players at the Games, he admitted to feeling frustrated at holding his thoughts.

“It’s just not me,” he said.

However Chinese team leader Li Dongyan, who also serves as general secretary of the Chinese Curling Association, denied that Rafael had been told to avoid critical comments; instead, he was asked to please speed up his interviews. He’s been a go-to source for reporters covering the Games

“The players have to wait for a half-hour, at least,” said Li. “So I just told him to cut down the time, not to keep quiet. That’s a different meaning. You can take five or 10 minutes. We have nine games plus two games for playoffs; if every time he’s here a half-hour, they have to wait in the locker-room. Just cut down on the time.”

Rafael was at least more diplomatic on Tuesday after the Wang Gang shaded Debbie McCormick of the U.S. 6-5 to clinch a berth in Thursday’s semifinal against Anette Norberg of Sweden, a rematch of last year’s world championship gold-medal final, won by China.

“They started off a little slow, but picked it up at the end, and again, it was just enough to win,” said Rafael. “But they tried.”

Wang, who appeared upset to reporters Monday night after being told of Rafael’s critical comments, refused to speak to reporters on Tuesday.

The issue now is whether Chinese federation has had enough of Rafael, or vice-versa. His contract expires in June, and unless he’s told otherwise, he’ll honour his commitment for the remainder of the season.

“I still have two world championships to go to, maybe three (if you include the world mixed doubles and senior championships in Chelyabinsk, Russia),” he said. “We have a world (women’s) championship to defend. I’ll be in Swift Current (Sask., for the world women’s championship) and Cortina (Italy, for the world men’s).”

Beyond that? Rafael has no idea.

“The whole system would have to change,” he said. “I mean, I don’t want to be away from home that long. I’ve done two years now (with the Chinese teams); I think I still have a wife at home. She called me yesterday, actually. She told me if I sign another contract, she has a say in the matter. And I said absolutely.

“The thing you have to understand is that it’s not all about money. Just last year alone, in 10 months, I was home 11 days. I’ve lost my job (of 25 years, working for the Dorval school district, I’ve lost my Medicare.)

“I have to listen to offers; I’m sure there are other countries that would be interested. Closer to home.”

For his part, Li is fine with the coaching job Rafael has done.

“Absolutely,” said Li, whose own contract also expires in June. “We won the silver medal in his first year, gold medal in his second year. He’s a big winner.”

acamerontheherald.canwest.com

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China’s curling coach not afraid to speak his mind

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